Labor Movements in the Early Twentieth Century

This is the first draft of a 5 pages writing assignment.

Please use the standard format for papers:  1" margins on all sides, 12 point font (preferably Times New Roman)

Writing Assignment requires you to write an "argumentative" essay. 

For this assignment, use only assigned readings, videos, or instructor video comments.

#1 - Your paper will start with an introductory paragraph, including a thesis statement at the end of the paragraph. The thesis statement is the basic argument you will be making in the paper. In this paper, the thesis statement will concisely summarize the two factors which you believe were most important in enabling the labor movement to grow in membership and influence during the early years of the Great Depression.

#2 - Each of the subsequent body paragraphs should follow a logical progression and be in direct support of your argument. Support your points with specific examples from the reading assignments, instructor videos, and video clips. When quoting material in your essay from class readings or referencing a video clip, insert the citation into the appropriate place in the paragraph in a parenthesis. For example, if you are quoting material from page 436 of the textbook, use the following format:

"The NIRA came under particularly fierce attack in part because the process of writing and enforcing industry codes brought to the surface sharp conflicts among competing interests” (WBA, p. 436).

Here are examples of citations from other sources:

• Quote from an assigned article with an author - (Brecher, p. 141)
• Quote from an assigned article without an author - (Post-War Backlash, p. 150)
• Reference to a Video Clip - (San Francisco General Strike, Week 9)
• Instructor Video Comment - (Slott, Week 9)

#3 - You will complete the essay with a concluding paragraph which restates/summarizes the thesis statement in the light of the evidence which you have provided in the body paragraphs. You may also want to draw some lessons from the argument you've made in terms of our current situation.

#4 - Finally, include a Works Cited page at the end of your paper (this page does not count toward the total length of your paper). Examples:

• Rosenzweig, Roy et. al (2008). Who Built America? Working People and the Nation's History, Volume Two: 1877 to the Present. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's
• Jeremy Brecher, "The Great Upheaval", in Boris, E. and Lichtenstein, N. (2003). Major Problems in the History of American Workers. Boston: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.
• San Francisco General Strike (Video, Week 9)

Writing Assignment 3

From 1900 to 1934, the labor movement's economic power and political clout varied considerably. At the turn of the 20th century, employers were in a relatively strong position while unions had limited influence. However, during World War I (1914-1918), union membership increased and labor gained both economic and political power. Labor's forward movement did not last very long, however. The labor movement suffered a significant setback during the "lean years" of the 1920's, when membership declined due to a changing economy, employers' anti-union strategies, and the federal government's pro-business policies.

At first, the Great Depression, which began with the stock market crash of October 1929, further weakened labor unions, as massive unemployment crippled labor's bargaining power. However, by 1933, unions were making a comeback. In 1934, labor militancy continued to rise. In that year, there were general strikes in three American cities and an industry-wide textile strike. These struggles turned out to be the beginning of a massive upsurge in labor organizing during the 1930's.

Please respond to the following question:

What were the two most important factors which led to the labor movement’s growing militancy and strength in 1933 and 1934?

In your response, choose two of following factors:

• A New Deal law - the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) - which established a system of "business self-regulation" to restructure the industrial economy and gave workers the right to form unions
• New Deal laws and policies which provided jobs to the unemployed and stimulated the economy through public works and infrastructure projects
• The role of radical, labor activists from 1929 to 1934, including their role in the 1934 general strikes